An offset run lengths question

[gordo]

Is it correct that offset printers are doing very short run jobs - perhaps in competition with digital? An example: 300 copies of a 450 page book (black only) on, for example, a ManRolland sheetfed press.

 

[SheetSqueezer]

Offset printers have always done these types of runs - a couple of sheets-up on a smaller duplicator/press on up to many sheets-up on a full size press. Single color and multi-color jobs as well, it really makes no difference. While digital may have offset beat with pricing on many smaller runs and variable data jobs for sure, once you get past the prepress/plating cost for offset, modern technology presses are pretty efficient and can also do some things that digital presses cannot do.